Ontario Fertility Funding Program FAQs

The government of Ontario’s fertility program offers financial assistance to women and couples who are seeking Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) to support their fertility journey. The details of who is eligible for the Ontario fertility program depend on the type of treatment. It is important to note eligibility is not based on sex, gender, orientation, or family status. All covered fertility treatments under the Ontario fertility funding program include medical assessments and counselling, specific blood and urine tests, and related ultrasounds. Treatments not covered are psychologist or social worker counselling, drugs and medications, storage and shipping of eggs/sperm/embryos, and a number of optional tests. Check with your personal health plan for costs not funded by the Ontario fertility program such as fertility drugs and genetic testing.

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Funding

In vitro fertilization involves retrieving eggs from one partner’s ovaries (or using a donor egg) and then fertilizing the eggs using the other partner’s sperm (or donor sperm) in a lab. Once fertilized, the embryo is transferred to the uterus. This funding covers one IVF cycle per lifetime.

Am I Eligible for Funded IVF?

The Ontario IVF funding program is for Ontario residents under the age of 43 years with a valid Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) card.

How Do I Apply?

A referral from your physician is needed for those wanting to know how to apply for IVF funding from the Ontario government.

What Treatments Are Covered?

Under the Ontario fertility funding program for IVF, one full IVF cycle is covered. The cycle varies from person to person. Funding coverage includes up to two attempts at cycle monitoring, embryo freezing/thawing/culture, one attempt at surgical sperm retrieval, and a one-at-a-time fresh/frozen embryo transfer. It also includes fertilization and embryology services, including intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), assisted hatching, and blastocyst culture.

What Treatments Are Not Covered?

The Ontario fertility funding program does not cover purchase of donor sperm/eggs, storage/shipment of eggs/sperm/embryos, or services performed on other participants in the patient’s funded IVF cycle.

Can My Partner or Donor Participate?

As an IVF procedure requires a sperm or egg donor/partner participation, the only prerequisite is a valid OHIP card. The Ontario fertility funding only covers the egg retrieval or sperm collection/retrieval as other services may be directly charged to the participant.

Is There a Waiting List?

Yes, due to the number of women and couples seeking IVF assistance, there is a waiting list. Each government-recognized fertility clinic has varying waiting times.

Number of Embryos I Can Transfer?

Due to the health risks with multiple pregnancies, the Ontario IVF funding program only allows for one embryo transfer under its mandatory single embryo transfer policy. The program does allow for age and medical exceptions which can be discussed with your fertility specialist.

What is Included in the Funded IVF Cycle

The Ontario funded IVF program allows for one-at-a-time transfer of all viable embryos from one start point to the first endpoints. The cycle start point encompasses undergoing an egg retrieval, OR donor undergoing egg retrieval, OR using previously retrieved eggs OR using previously created embryos. The cycle end point is marked with two cycle monitoring attempts with no egg retrieval, OR one failed egg retrieval, OR one failed surgical sperm retrieval with no alternate sperm source chosen, OR fertilization/culture of all eggs from cycle start resulted in no viable embryos to transfer, OR thawing/culture of all frozen embryos from cycle start resulted in no viable embryos to transfer, OR transfers of all viable embryos from cycle start were performed or are no longer available.

Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) Funding

Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a procedure wherein the sperm is directly injected into the uterus via a catheter. Under the program, IUI procedures have no set limited number of treatment cycles.

Am I Eligible for Funded IUI?

The Ontario IUI funding program is for Ontario residents with a valid OHIP card.

How Do I Apply?

A referral from your physician is needed for those wanting to know how to apply for IUI funding from the Ontario government.

What Treatments Are Covered?

The Ontario IUI funded program covers the treatments of cycle monitoring and the insemination procedure, with the exception of sperm washing.

What Treatments Are Not Covered?

Treatments not covered under the funded program includes the preparation/sperm washing procedures before the insemination and the purchase/shipment/storage of donor sperm.

Can I Use a Donor?

Yes, the IUI program does include funding for sperm services with the exception of the cost to purchase the donor sperm.

Fertility Preservation Funding

Fertility preservation refers to the freezing of the eggs or sperm for future IVF or IUI use. The Ontario government funding program will cover costs relating to the procedure once per lifetime.

Am I Eligible for Funded Fertility Preservation?

Funding candidates must have a valid OHIP card, be under the age of 43 years, and have a valid medical reason for the preservation. This can include, but may not be limited to, chemotherapy or gender-reaffirming surgery.

How Do I Apply?

A referral from your physician is needed for those wanting to know how to apply for fertility preservation funding from the Ontario government.

What Treatments Are Covered?

The fertility preservation funding includes up to two attempts at cycle monitoring, one egg retrieval attempt, the freezing of one batch/sample of eggs or sperm, and sperm collection or, if required, one attempt at surgical sperm retrieval.

What Treatments Are Not Covered?

The treatment funding does not cover the preservation of additional batches/samples of eggs or sperm.

Visit ONE Fertility Kitchener Waterloo for Fertility Program Funding

ONE Fertility Kitchener Waterloo is a leading fertility clinic associated with the government- funded fertility program. Contact us today at (519) 650-0011 to book a consultation with our specialists at our fertility clinic in Kitchener-Waterloo.